Best vampire horror books according to redditors
We found 210 Reddit comments discussing the best vampire horror books. We ranked the 97 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 210 Reddit comments discussing the best vampire horror books. We ranked the 97 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
It's a matter of the audience. Some Taliban fighters are heroes to those who support their cause. The 9/11 hijackers are heroes to AQ and Daesh types.
One man's monster is another man's glorious savior.
If you're intrigued by that concept, I'd suggest this (it's the book, not the terrible movie): I Am Legend
I have just the book for you
Note: I have not read this book despite the fact that I read all sorts of trash vampire novels on KU.
>How do video games help you? They improve your hand-eye coordination. They improve your reflexes. You can learn new vocabulary in video games too through the story. If you're playing multiplayer, it can be an opportunity to meet new people and socialize.
True.
>How does reading help you? Well, it can increase your vocabulary. That's a small improvement, but it's an improvement.
That's a gross oversimplification. Books at their finest give us insights into the human condition. They can tell us more about the world around us, and other people's perspective on things, or they can challenge our most firmly held convictions. That's not just nonfiction books either, even a simple vampire story can shock you with a new perspective on things.
Video games typically just aren't this mature. Few games have meaningful content beyond just being "fun." Partially because it's a newer medium, and partially because of the industry's fixation on selling games to teenage boys.
>So obviously, video games are better for you than reading.
Not obvious to me.
> And when the people that were around when video games were invented die out, video games won't be seen as "taboo" anymore. They won't be something that a parent needs to limit a child's time on.
You haven't made that argument. Children should be able to play games for 20 hours straight at the expense of other things in their life... why? Because it might improve their hand-eye coordination? Depending on the type of game even that's arguable. After 200 hours of grinding in a JRPG you stop getting anything really useful out of the experience. What about Farmville or any of those crappy iOS games that are explicitly designed to be time sucks with IAP's? It's like eating 50 cans of Pringles. You might want to, and it might taste good, but there's better things you could be doing.
I can concede to your overall point though, depending on what you're playing and what you're reading. Are you playing "Papers, Please", and reading Twilight? Yeah, the video game is a meaningful experience and the book is trash.
Hence the "This price was set by the publisher " seen on amazon listings
For example, a book I won't buy (but really want) because $12.99 for a text file is ridiculous
Might I suggest something a little off the beaten path:
Between two fires:
https://www.amazon.com/Between-Two-Fires-Christopher-Buehlman/dp/0425256901
Sort of off the top of my head:
Not Supernatural:
Supernatural:
Often times books about survival don't need to be fiction to be amazingly interesting, so I'll add these:
Hellboy
Netflix
IMDB
A demon, raised from infancy after being conjured by and rescued from the Nazis, grows up to become a defender against the forces of darkness.
If you haven't seen this movie before, you should. It's a great story, a pretty phenomenal cast and the movie that really put Del Toro's name out there for the mainstream.
This was the second Del Toro movie I saw. The first was Blade 2. I only recently read the first of The Strain Trilogy and had to smile at how he snuck in some of the anatomy from those books into the movie. Sadly, none of the Blade movies are on Instant Streaming.
The Joe Pitt series by Charlie Huston might appeal to you. It's a bit more grounded and noir than a lot of the Urban Fantasy I've read, but I like that about it.
Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey is good. I think the series is a bit hit and miss, but the first one is still probably my favorite Urban Fantasy novel. The voice the author uses is really entertaining in a punk rock way.
My idea was much along the same lines, plagiarising Seth Grahame-Smith's classic Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter but I actually agree with you, digitalyss ... /u/MCubb's version is FAR better.
Some new books that I have enjoyed recently
Guillermo Del Toro - The Strain, part one of three, part two just came out
I also enjoy Brian Keene. He has a kind of Lovecraft mythos throughout his books.
Here is a mash of books off the top of my head.
The Song of Kali by Dan Simmons was pretty scary when I read it about ten years ago. I also remember being scared by Salem's Lot and freaked the fuck out by Pet Cemetery.
Yeah... especially Pet Cemetery.
Fucking cats.
Which was a spectacular book, in my opinion. The movie was pure rubbish in comparison.
The book beautifully grafted interesting fiction onto real history, as if that's the way it really happened. To the point where it makes actual sense, and not just some half-coked story.
A friend of mine picked it up for me as a gift based on the ridiculous title alone. I laughed at it and let it sit on my shelf for a good 2 months until hurricane Irene came around and knocked my power out for days, so I sat reading it next to my coleman lamp, and only put it down to take a nap in between.
If you like the supernatural, sci-fi, history, or all the above, this book is a must. Do yourself a favor and get a real copy, as an e-book would not do it justice.
http://www.amazon.com/Abraham-Lincoln-Vampire-Seth-Grahame-Smith/dp/B007SRVUUC
Nope.
Case in point -- Abraham Lincoln : Vampire Hunter. So big, it was made into a movie.
The same guy also did "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies", I think.Oops, different guy. That should have said "There is also Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" mea culpa
Despite the fact that it's got comedic elements, there are plenty of parts in John Dies At The End that are pretty wonderfully creepy.
House of Leaves always needs mentioning, it works its magic on numerous levels.
The absolute scariest ghost story I've ever read, and I never hear anyone talking about it, is Beyond Black by Hilary Mantel.
You can't go wrong with Stephen King, but if you haven't cracked into his books yet it can be a daunting task, he has a huge bibliography. For me, IT, The Shining, Salem's Lot, and Pet Sematary are some of the scariest, plus pretty much any of his short story collections are golden. In fact, any one of his short story collections might be the best place to start with King, I would recommend Skeleton Crew.
And while I wouldn't necessarily categorize it as strict "horror", one of the books that's scared me the most is Alan Moore's graphic novel From Hell. It's an absolute beast (and it's pretty much nothing like the film adaptation with Johnny Depp, so don't let that color your perceptions).
I've read a couple.
Mastermind: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07WH3JQLK
Sigil Online: https://www.amazon.ca/Sigil-Online-Paragons-Jeff-Sproul-ebook/dp/B01NBHA0KZ
I'm gonna be that guy. Buy the book. It's a quick read...and its subject matter is more thought provoking than the movie. The movie is fine (I own it) but its just a bit above a box-standard zombie movie.
Hell...the book is cheaper
Now i just realized i read 18 books this month... what the hell.
Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter. While the movie was sub-par, the book was great in my opinion.
When I was in the 7th grade, my mom told me the scariest book she ever read was Salem's Lot by Stephen King. But she said she read it at night, when no one else was awake.
I was just getting to that age where I was trying to prove that I'm all manly and stuff. So I decided I was going to read Salem's Lot, and I was only going to read at night after everyone else had gone to sleep, and I was not going to be scared.
I was wrong. I was so very, very wrong. There were times when I literally had to put the book down because I was getting too scared.
If I went back and read it now as an adult, I doubt it would freak me out so much. But I really don't want to ruin that. It was one of the coolest reading experiences I've ever had.
He doesn't know much vampire material.
Fat Vampire: An Underdog Vampire Novella - I've read it, it's not bad. It is however, realistic about fat vampires - in that he can't catch his prey because he's too fat. Also Real Vampires have Curves and another Fat Vampire.
Furthermore, fat vampires are in plenty of vampire movies/shows - Blade has Pearl, Balthazar and Kakistos in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Cho in True Blood, a bunch of them in From Dusk till Dawn, Deacon in What We Do in the Shadows, the Head Vampire in Lost Boys and Santiago in Interview with the Vampire.
Well . . . if you're looking at a book simply as a collection of text, I too have never feared a line of text. What books allow, is a slow building of fear that require quite a bit of character development. I don't read horror novels waiting to be frightened, and truthfully read very little horror. The fear just happens. To be honest, it's a different type of fear - more of an uneasy feeling really. Certainly, a book can't have, what my son calls, "The scary jump out scenes". But if we exchange the term fear with edgy, here are a list of my favorite books with an "Edge":
[The Passage] (http://www.amazon.com/The-Passage-Novel-Book-Trilogy/dp/0345528174)
[The Terror] (http://www.amazon.com/Terror-Novel-Dan-Simmons/dp/0316008079/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404481514&sr=1-1&keywords=terror)
The Stand
Carrion Comfort
Desperation
I am Legend
The Sparrow
Night
Frankenstein
All Quite on the Western Front
Hunger
Blood Meridian
Watchers
The Minus Man
In no particular order - Not the usual suggestions either. Hope it helps, and happy reading!
This is Peggy, in the loopy bar, sitting and watching the moment when the loopy enters the stage. "Swamp water" is a drink.
> The curtain swept open with such a rush, she almost dropped her glass. It thumped down heavily on the table, swamp water cascading up its sides and raining on her hand. The music exploded shrapnel of ear-cutting cacophony and her body jerked. On the tablecloth, her hands twitched white on white while claws of uncontrollable demand pulled up her frightened eyes.
~Matthew Richardson: Dance of the Dead
The last sentence sends shivers down my spine whenever I read it.
"Dance of the Dead" and "I am Legend" are incredibly awesome. I think it was Mike that recommended it somewhere on OOC, thank you!
As to my own sentence - I don't think I have a favorite that stands on its own. They all live in their little place where they were born and raised. In that form I would choose this two word sentence.
I've read the book and it was awesome. I had no idea there was a movie until just now :) I can't wait.
Check out the Joe Pitt series by Charlie Huston. The first one is Already Dead.
The series has some romance, but its never the main plot. Instead, it's more of a brutal noir detective series. One of my favorites.
Guillermo del Toro has a series out now, I have read The Strain and The Fall. AMAZING books! Vampires done right! Book 3 just got released, The Night Eternal
I also really liked The Passage
http://www.amazon.com/Strain-Book-One-Trilogy/dp/0061558230
http://www.amazon.com/Fall-Book-Two-Strain-Trilogy/dp/0061558222
http://www.amazon.com/Night-Eternal-Guillermo-Del-Toro/dp/0061558265/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319746834&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Passage-Novel-Justin-Cronin/dp/0345504976/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319746889&sr=1-1
Medieval setting
https://www.amazon.com/Between-Two-Fires-Christopher-Buehlman/dp/0425256901
More urban fantasy
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/042525691X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1563328543&sr=8-1
I recommend you read I am Legend. Forget the movie. The book is way better than any of the several movies made from it.
I can't say more without spoiling it. This may seem out of left field but it is relevant to the OP.
I'm very interested in your copies of Your Inner Fish, Anatomy of an Epidemic, and Evil Genes. I would love to be able to take all three off your hands. I have several books that I can offer you in exchange, all of which I've read and highly recommend! What I have that might match your interests are:
And seeing that you had a Steve Berry novel up for trade, I also have these two excellent Brad Meltzer thriller novels:
If any of my books peak your interests, I'd love to make a trade!
Some slightly obscure ones I read years ago that sound like what you might be looking for:
The I, Vampire series by Michael Romkey
Bring on the Night by Jay and Don Davis. Link is to the Kindle edition, but Amazon has dirt-cheap used paperbacks, too.
Gentleman Vampire by P.N. Elrod (who was mentioned elsewhere for her Vampire PI series)
I Am Dracula C. Dean Anderson. A Dracula POV novel about his ascent to become Lord of the Vampires. Lurid and filled with demons, magic, all sorts of pulpy weirdness and wickedness.
None of these are super dense, challenging reads, but they're high on action, paranormal happenings, and fun. I certainly enjoyed them when I read them.
I'll also second (or third, or forth) the recommendations for The Vampire Chronicles. The first two books in the series (Interview and Lestat) are classic modern vampire tales for good reasons, with Lestat especially striking a good balance between mood and action, self-reflection and external conflict. The third book (Queen of the Damned) is a kinetic, intense potboiler and really fun. I even think the fourth book (Tale of the Body Thief) doesn't get enough credit for being just a damned good read.
Yup! But--and this is unusual--not based on a graphic novel. It was a novel written by the same guy that did Pride & Prejudice & Zombies.
I enjoyed it, dumb but fun, but I assume people would accuse it of being another example of unoriginal content in the cinema.
Frankly, finding a five and frugal figure flipping thing was fun!
By flipping, I mean pages of a fairly, fantastic fiction.
Buying and finding used is fine.
F
I wouldn't mind having this book. I am about finished with the one I am reading. Time to get a new one.
Thanks for doing your first contest!
An interesting story, a moral dilemma with a unique perspective, Already Dead by Charlie Huston.
 
It's noir meets vampires and definitely not like anything you've read before.
Sure is!
http://www.amazon.com/Abraham-Lincoln-Vampire-Hunter-ebook/dp/B00351DSCS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1333560352&sr=8-2
Based on the title, I thought it was a webgame based on Paul is Undead. It's not, but I played it and I was not disappointed.
If you want some good redeeming vampire stories. check these out:
[I Am Legend] (http://www.amazon.com/I-Am-Legend-Richard-Matheson/dp/0765357151/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373252479&sr=8-1&keywords=I+am+legend+book)
It's an awesome book but it's nothing like the movie. I think it was written in the 50's. A classic. :)))
Sounds like Night of the Living Trekkies.
Yep: http://www.amazon.com/Abraham-Lincoln-Vampire-Seth-Grahame-Smith/dp/0446563072/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1368637531&sr=8-2&keywords=abraham+lincoln+vampire+hunter
Summerfuntime!
I would love I am Legend. I loved the movie and I have yet to find a movie made from a book where the book wasn't better!
The Strain. Its a trilogy. Super creepy. Think they even made an FX series based on the books - haven't seen it but have heard good things.
https://www.amazon.com/Strain-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B002BD2V38
This last was another re-reading for me, but it still left me feeling empty without another book and of course a bit mentally exhausted at putting all that in my brain again. So I went with a more light, funny book I'd been saving to read: Night of the Living Trekkies. It was far better than I expected, even with the AMAZING book trailer they did for it.
Paragon
https://www.amazon.com/Sigil-Online-Paragons-Jeff-Sproul-ebook/dp/B01NBHA0KZ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538083316&sr=8-1&keywords=paragon+litrpg
Well, since it's been only a couple of weeks, I think your best best is something simple and not too try hard. Does he have all the Zombie Apocalypse survival guides? Why don't you try getting him a how to survive if civilization ends book? There are tons of those.
Alternatively, here's a zombie trekkie book that got good reviews. He might get a kick out of it:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594744637/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=gaynerd-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1594744637&adid=15RRS5VC4P2CJCP3SZQN&
[http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00OO7AWLW] (Generic Vampire Novel) Australia link
Night of the Living Trekkies by Kevin David Anderson and Sam Stall. Zombie horror at a Star Trek convention.
Strain. http://www.amazon.com/Strain-Book-One-Trilogy/dp/0061558230
My personal favorite is Night Of The Living Trekkies. It's not really a 'serious' read but it is one of my favorite pleasure reads from the last several years.
Congratulations on your little human and his conquered feat!
ebook
The Roanoke Colony is explained in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.
I'm having a little trouble because most fantasy things, set in another universe with worldbuilding like LOTD, Wheel of Time, GoT, etc, don't really have horror elements, and vice versa. Even Lovecraft's stuff is mostly set on Earth, even though it's decidedly non-real. For classic horror I recommend Dracula, which is apparently free on Kindle, or I Am Legend.
http://www.amazon.com/Paul-Undead-Alan-Goldsher/dp/1439177929
Dachsund
Scottish Fold
Chameleon
Woof Woof! I'd like this book.
Paul is Undead
Listening to:
I also spent the week devouring Brand New's discography while at work. Monday: Your Favorite Weapon; Tuesday: Deja Entendu; Wednesday: Fight Off Your Demons; Thursday: The Devil and God; and today was Daisy day. I interspersed singles from each album during that time as well, with "Out of Range," "Mene," and the Devinyl split playing today.
Gonna go see:
This one's for my dad. He grew up with the Marvel comics, but only recently started getting into the cinematic universe. He really liked "Winter Soldier," but only got to see it from Netflix. I figure this will be a worthwhile outing.
Gonna play:
I haven't played anything in months, but I got the itch midway through the week for some adventuring, popped the game in last night, going to play some more over the weekend.
Personal:
Three of my good friends are all battling various combinations of anxiety, depression, and hormone deficiencies. Two of the three start a new round of medication this weekend, so I've got my fingers crossed that maybe there'll be some progress.
I'm also on the "get in shape" wagon. I fell off two years ago when I got an office job. Since the start of spring I've been trying to get my life back under my control though. Need to keep motivation and discipline high.
Been reading:
I have very eclectic tastes when it comes to reading material. I like to try and read two things at once: one fiction, one nonfiction, which I find helps me break up the monotony and better remember what I'm reading in each.
I really want to read The Strain. I've read the 4 graphic novels, but haven't watched the show yet because I'd like to read the book first.
Look on amazon. Their used book sellers sometimes have great prices. I don't really care about the condition of books so I pick a lot of books through them for pennies. The shipping per book is always 3.99. I can usually beat prices found at our Half Price books. Some of them ship really quickly too. You can look to see the location of the seller. Choosing one closer to your own location speeds up shipping too.
Here's one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0061558230/ref=tmm_hrd_used_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=used&sr=8-2&qid=1407876290
You might like [this book!] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0062021338/ref=mp_s_a_1_75?qid=1412591251&sr=1-75&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70) Its dark, has vampires, and ROMANCE! :)
I have been dying to read [Salems Lot by Stephen King] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0307743675/ref=aw_wl_ov_dp_2_4?colid=11K4B8UA475UO&coliid=I3N2UWNFSTQ48D)
Thanks for the contest :D
Jeff Sproul has something like that.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OO7AWLW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1453590048&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=generic+vampire+novel&dpPl=1&dpID=51SAslVeLgL&ref=plSrch
End of a trilogy
This is the final book of a trilogy I've read(up to the last book obviously). I really want to know how it resolves. To add insult to injury the series has recently been picked up as a TV show and is being advertised all over the place making me long for the ending of the series even more.
On a side note, this book was written by Guillermo Del Toro, famous Hollywood director. He directed Sin City, Hell Boy, Spy Kids, etc. Great series with a unique take on vampires. Well worth the read.
I love reading books! :D
Did you like Owen Meany? I hated it, but I had to read it over the summer for my senior year of high school. I also didn't like Ender's Game. :( Boo, I know.
Anyway, I would suggest White Oleander by Janet Fitch, for some reason it sort of reminds me of the subject matter in John Green's books but it's quite different. I would also suggest The Gates by John Connolly, I thought it was quite good. :D
I would like dis book, mass market paperback is fine. :D
Thanks for the contest!
Let's get grammared this weekend!
I <3 your phrase! :D
My last final is on the May 12th, so I'm not done yet.
Anyway, Happy Almost Birthday!!!! My b-day is coming up soon too: May 26th
I'm sorry I don't read much but the last book I read and loved that seems to be in your realm of interest was:
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Same book on paperbackswap.com
I'm far behind on my Stephen King. I've been a fan of his films for a long time, but now I'm doing a deep dive into his most classic books. Just finished SALEM'S LOT, his second book and one that has certainly stood the test of time.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Salems-Lot-Stephen-King-ebook/dp/B0019LV31E/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1494468667&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=salem%27s+lot
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/salem-s-lot-1
According to "Night of the Living Trekkies": yes.
The next week and a half is going to be nothing but prep for Star Wars Celebration, but I've got Between Two Fires waiting on the coffee table for after. The author is also a performer I really like.
The Passage by Justin Cronin
The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro (Author), & Chuck Hogan (Author)
Here's a link to the book. Some of the stories are really good even if they only take up two or three pages.
Here are some off the top of my head I can remember liking:
Day by Day Armageddon: The first book is amazing and it trails from there.
The Stain Trilogy: Again the first one is awesome, then they fall fast to the point I stopped reading the third one for a couple weeks, before I finished.
The Passage: A Novel This is a huge book, that spans a large timeline. Like most modern "huge" books there is some slow reading and some boring parts but over all I liked it, there is a second one, but I haven't started it yet.
I know some will think the Stain and Passage don't belong here due to the fact they are not zombies, but if you want stories about monsters that eat people and society collapses, then that's what they offer.
LZR-1143: Within, and LZR-1143: Perspectives are two free short stories that are intros (bait) for the real series of LZR-1143 books. I just finished Within last night and after reading the two free books, the rest of the LZR series will be next.
Sawkill Stories: The Silver Tower This is another free intro book, I liked the story and the writing style, and will get around to reading the main book, I hesitate because there are plenty of typos in the free book, and the reviews of the main state the same thing.
I am legend book
how about this?
try this http://www.amazon.com/Bill-The-Vampire-Tome-ebook/dp/B0058I8A6K
its very fun. Its about a Game programmer who gets bitten by a Vampy chick and then names him self Dr Death
I can't show you a picture, but Joe Pitt is the only vampire I'd upvote. Seriously, if you like vampires, these books are awesome. A lot cooler than True Blood.
I, Vampire by Michael Romkey.
I read it when it first came out in 1990 and I continue to reread it every few years. Definitely one of my faves.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Confessions-Strangest-Desires-Fawcett-ebook/dp/B004EBT6PQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1494050102&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=Michael+Romkey+I%2C+Vampire
Close! It's another book in that series, Already Dead. Thanks a million for putting my mind to rest.
http://www.amazon.com/Already-Dead-Novel-Charlie-Huston-ebook/dp/B000XUBCZO/ref=pd_sim_351_2?ie=UTF8&amp;dpID=51XpZWz02ZL&amp;dpSrc=sims&amp;preST=_AC_UL160_SR107%2C160_&amp;refRID=1WMSJ7TGHQCYW4MJZ94C
Night of the Living Trekkies
was actually quite good. Zombie outbreak at a Star Trek convention
See "Night of the Living Trekkies"
Let's be blunt, the pulp put out by WoD does not, in any way, stack up to Stoker's Dracula. I've read 2-3 of their novels and was unimpressed with all of them.
A really good vampire read is The Strain. It's a good spin on vampires that is closer to Stoker's concept than Rice and it's not filled with angst like most vampire novels.
There were two types of infected: 1) Those infected who did not succumb to the infection leading to death and 2) Those infected whom did die and could become reanimated. The reanimated ones were feral, having no memories of their past lives and killed without hesitation, which is where I think the confusion lies between vampirism and modern day zombies.
The symptoms are that of vampirism and not that of typical "walking dead" as we know them today.
I'd recommend reading the novel the movie is loosely based on by Richard Matheson.
His vampirism was a catalyst in the development of modern day zombies and heavily influenced the likes of George A. Romero and Stephen King.
Romero himself is quoted as saying, "I had written a short story, which I basically had ripped off from a Richard Matheson novel called I Am Legend." The title of Romero and co-author John Russo's short story is called "Monster Flick" and was originally intended to be a horror comedy which has little resemblance to the final product.
> Richard Matheson, Vincent Price, Charlton Heston, and Will Smith already did this...
FTFY